Jet City Espresso Hyde Park
Our view from the chairs we chose on the front lawn.
Just the other day, my wife and I were talking about all the different coffee shops we’ve visited throughout the years and she complained that Tampa didn’t have any “house style” coffee shops like they have in North Carolina. Admittedly, I too, believed this observation until we stumbled upon Jet City Espresso in Hyde Park which is tucked into a historic hyde park bungalow that acts not only as a coffee shop but also, as a bed and breakfast! I’m ashamed to say that, as a native Tampanian, and coffee enthusiast, this shop flew under my radar and I had no idea this gem was underneath my nose.
I knew we had to right this wrong, so we quickly made a date to visit them that following weekend and see what we’d been missing out on.
As we approved the property, we were ecstatic to see how quaint and peaceful the place appeared to be… Outside there was lawn furniture scattered throughout the front yard, making you feel like you were visiting your family, or were part of some garden party with people enjoying their coffee with friends and others casually eating some delicious-looking meals.
We had finally made our way inside, but not before awkwardly guessing which door to walk into - there were two doors - one that led to the bed and breakfast and the other led to the shop itself. It’s the one on the left!
Experience
I think what we loved most about this eclectic place was the small-town feel, this was truly a place for locals and you could really feel that. This was especially evident when we witnessed the owner serve an order for a customer before they even had a chance to place the order. We were lucky enough to meet the owner - Jessica - and her son - Jack - who helps her run the shop.
I honestly loved our interaction with Jessica. She was very insightful and took the time to explain how she started the business, what coffee she uses, why she uses it, and all the nuances that go into the business. She oozed passion and enthusiasm which are all key to making an establishment successful.
We were so inspired by her that we ultimately decided to join the army of dollar bills covering all the walls with one of our own. A nice touch that makes people want to come back and reminisce on the time they originally placed their bill.
Unlike other places, Jet City doesn’t carry its own line of coffee to sell or even the normal retail items you would typically see. Instead, she carries items that range from CBD oils to infuser scents, as well as, local art hung all throughout supporting local artists which can also be purchased.
The shop itself is relatively small and intimate with only two tables and four chairs in total, which tends to get a bit crowded when a line forms in front of the counter but this wasn’t an issue for us being that we wanted to sit outside and enjoy the weather.
Coffee
On the lawn, we enjoyed our order which consisted of a Cortado with an extra shot of espresso, a doppio (for research), and their signature drink - Cafe Borgia.
” Our originalJet CitySignature drink!!! espresso with a touch of local raw honey and orange blossom, steamed moo & fresh whipped cream topped with nutmeg & zest”.
Jessica (the owner) stated that she used Seattle’s Best Coffee - Henry’s Blend which is a dark roast coffee that, per their website, is complex and robust. Tasting the doppio, I can say the blend was certainly complex in that I couldn’t really make out many notes other than nuttiness and a hint of tobacco but that’s not to say it wasn’t good. Actually, it was very tasteful and had virtually no bitterness.
My cortado was well-balanced and a pleasure to drink but the real star was the Cafe Borgia my wife ordered. The cappuccino-style drink was surprisingly refreshing for it to be a hot drink which was due party to the honey but mostly because of the orange blossom and zest. I was a bit skeptical at first of the combination, but after trying it, I was quickly converted into a fan. Definitely a must-try!!!
Conclusion
As much as it pains me to let out this well-kept secret in the middle of one of Tampa’s more popular neighborhoods, I would be doing the world an injustice not spreading the word about this gem. While the beans used may not be the best coffee available, they certainly did not hinder the coffee itself and still delivered delicious drinks that anyone can enjoy.
This is a terrific place to enjoy a Sunday morning with a book while the weather is great and get a feel of a bit of serenity.
If you pay them a visit, make sure to say hi to Jessica and tell them Ricky sent you!
